National

High Court suspends order for school fees payment via eCitizen

The Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi. (Photo: File)

By Yunis Dekow | Wednesday, February 7, 2024

The interim conservatory order suspended a circular that Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang on January 31, 2024, ordering all fee payments to be made through the eCitizen.

The High Court has issued an order suspending the government's directive for school fees to be paid exclusively through the eCitizen platform.

The digital platform is a one-stop shop for citizens, non-citizens, and business entities needing government services. It supports convenient electronic payments using preferred methods and is accessible around the clock and from any location globally.

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The case, heard by High Court Judge Chacha Mwita on Wednesday, resulted from a Notice of Motion and petition by one Benjamin Magare Gikenyi.

Recognising the matter as urgent, the court said it would issue further orders and directions on February 13, 2024.

The interim conservatory order suspended a circular that Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang on January 31, 2024, ordering all fee payments to be made through the eCitizen.

The circular mandated parents, guardians and students to pay fees and levies for government learning institutions exclusively through the platform or any other digital platform(s).

In his ruling, Justice Mwita declared that the suspension remains effective until the case is heard.

The ruling allows additional scrutiny of the issues Gikenyi raised in his petition.

The ruling comes after President William Ruto, on a State visit to Japan, backed the payment of fees using the platform, saying it would enhance accountability and transparency of payments.

Amid concerns about cartels taking advantage of parents and guardians and corruptly making money via additional charges, Ruto vowed to implement the project.

"We realised some schools were charging additional illegal levies to parents. In this regard, the payment of school fees through the eCitizen won’t be stopped since it helps to eliminate the payment of extra levies by some schools," he said.

The President also noted that cash payments for government services will also be stopped soon to prevent graft.